SAMARAHAN: More needs to be done to improve the economic well-being of the fishing community.
Malaysia Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) chairman Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal who made the call reminded its officers that they had been entrusted with taking care of the welfare of fishermen.
“Aside from being responsible for ensuring sufficient protein supply in the country, we are responsible for developing the industry as well as fishermen’s livelihood.
“We, as officers, should be the facilitators, we have to work together with industry players, especially the private companies, to build the industry together with the fishermen’s associations.
“In this way, we will be able to increase the income of fishermen and eventually bring them out of poverty,” he added.
He said this during the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) assistance programme at LKIM Tanjung Bako Fisheries Port on Saturday (Nov 13).
According to him, on average, most fishermen are still struggling and living in run down houses.
“Hence, the government provides an allocation of RM300 monthly to each fisherman because they do not have a fixed income. On top of that, their source of income is not certain as it depends on the season and weather.
“With the financial aid provided, it is hoped that fishermen will be able to put food on their table,” he said.
In addition, Syed Abu disclosed that the government also provides housing assistance to those whose homes are in very poor condition.
“The allocation under this assistance provides for building of new houses or repairing the houses. In Sarawak, we currently have two resettlement projects where the government will completely build the housing areas and house fishermen who are eligible,” he added.
Meanwhile, he presented ‘Bantuan MAFI Prihatin’ to fishermen in Sarawak along with a RM378,000 cheque for a cash crop programme to the State Fishermen’s Association chairman Jam Hajimi.
